July 17, 2017 at 4:07 p.m.
Cheers to 40 years: Hodag fans celebrate milestone
Cheers to 40 years: Hodag fans celebrate milestone
By Kayla Thomason-
Dixie Nieuwenhuis, co-coordinator of the festival with her two sisters, said the 40th anniversary event was a rousing success.
"It's pretty exciting for us to have pulled this off for 40 years now," she said. "We plan to keep going for another 40. We have the third generation in place so hopefully we can keep rolling."
The festival was co-founded by Bernie and Diane Eckert, and is now coordinated by their daughters, Nieuwenhuis and her sisters Gerry Van Harpen and Dawn Eckert, and their families.
"It was a good year, the weather was absolutely beautiful, the storms that were supposed to be hitting us tended to go around us which was a beautiful thing," she added.
The lack of storms during Hodag Country Festival was a delightful change of pace, as many long-time fans can quickly rough weather they have endured for good music.
"We always seem to have a downpour or some type of storm come through," Nieuwenhuis said.
The year's festival had a patriotic theme and through raffles enough money was raised to send a plane of veterans on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C.
The money was raised through a number of big-ticket raffle prizes such as a camper, $1,000 cash, Green Bay Packers tickets, an autographed football and more.
While the official numbers weren't in as of press time, Nieuwenhuis estimated approximately 20,000 fans attended this year event and enjoyed the music of Little Big Town, Oak Ridge Boys and Billy Currington.
Amy Hoernke has been coming to the Hodag since 1994.
She was thrilled to see Little Big Town, Randy Houser, Billy Currington and David Nail this year.
"It's awesome (that this is the 40th year)," she said. "Lots of good performers this year."
The environment and good music is what keeps her coming back year after year, she added.
"It's just a nice place to come, everybody's friendly here, (and it's the) only place you can carry in your drinks yet," Hoernke said.
Stephanie Wiernik, third-year Hodager, enjoyed listening to Neal McCoy and Randy Houser. She loves the atmosphere of Hodag Country Fest.
"I just like the environment here, everyone puts on a really good show, it's a really good time," she said.
Wiernik was impressed that the event has reached 40 years.
"I think that's awesome that they've been going on this long and it keeps bringing people back every year," she said, adding that she will be back next year.
Dani Boehm, a 20-year veteran, enjoyed Billy Currington and Neal McCoy's performances.
"It was just a good time, it always is," she said.
Boehm loved this year's patriotic theme.
"I think they're doing a good job, a lot of fun, new stuff this year, I liked the patriotic theme it was kind of cool," she said.
Laurie Withers, a fifth-year attendee, enjoyed Little Big Town, William Michael Morgan and Collin Raye.
"Little Big Town last night, they were awesome, very good concert, very good concert," she said. "I had a blast, it was a lot of fun."
Like many others, she said she can't wait for next year.
"I think it's phenomenal, I look forward to many, many more," she said.
The anniversary lineup included Marty's Party, The Leroy Van Dyke Country Gold Tour, Frankie Ballard, Brandy Clark, The Oak Ridge Boys, Billy Currington, Smithfield, Steve Moakler, LOCASH, Randy Houser, Little Big Town, William Michael Morgan, Raelynn, Collin Raye, David Nail and Neal McCoy.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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